Our Mission & Vision
We open a window into the world of autism to show the potential and beauty within.
We support children with autism to realise their true potential and abilities without being forced to conform to expectations. We create the environment for them to thrive naturally while staying free, so that they can integrate into mainstream society in a joyful and meaningful manner.
We support parents to give their children a happy childhood, advocate for their children’s needs and access government funding to reduce their financial burden.
Our Core Beliefs & Values
We believe that all children should be accepted with Unconditional Love, Freedom, Appreciation.
We believe that diversity is beautiful; divergence is to be respected and appreciated.
We see children on the autism spectrum as whole beings, not a set of problematic behaviors to be fixed. While autism makes the brain operate differently, it does not make anyone less worthy of love, freedom and appreciation.
Meet the Team
Lillian Li, Founder
Lillian runs Little Learning House Child Care Center, an inclusive daycare in Hamilton supporting children on the autism spectrum. She has worked in early education and autism for more than ten years.
She is a certified Montessori teacher, certified Health & Nutrition Coach, certified Energy Healer, trained Medical Intuitive, and Rubimed Chakra Healing practitioner.
After her son Patrick was diagnosed with autism in 2008, she tried two years of mainstream intervention. When these failed, she trusted her inner guidance and pioneered new alternative approaches. Patrick graduated in 2021 from Richard Ivey Business School, one of the top business schools in North America. He now lives and works independently in Tokyo.
Lillian was trained in person by the Autism Whisperer, William Stillman, an award-winning author of ten autism and special needs parenting books. She was also trained in person by Raun Kaufman, the former CEO of the Autism Treatment Center of America, on the Son-rise program.
Over the past twelve years, Lillian actively advocated for autism in China and the local Toronto autism community. She views autism as a different way of being that helps Humanity evolve to a higher level of consciousness. Lillian now dedicates herself to facilitating children on the autism spectrum to realise their God-given gifts and extraordinary potential.
Amanda Panday, Montessori Teacher
Amanda Panday is a Registered Social Service Worker and Certified Montessori Teacher. With over 16 years of experience as an early education teacher, she worked with children of diverse needs, such as learning disabilities, speech delay, autism, ADHD, and behavioral and intellectual disability in the Montessori environment.
Amanda has also supported and guided parents through the journey of the Montessori method both in school and home settings.
Having seen firsthand the confidence, curiosity, and independence that Montessori develops in children, Amanda feels strongly that this approach can improve their academics while meeting the criteria of the mainstream educational system.
Amanda views all children as equal, unique, and capable individuals. She is committed to helping all children on the autism spectrum achieve their full potential.
Teresa Ramage, Advisor (Education)
Teresa Ramage (RECE) has worked in the field of early years education (or early childhood education) since 1995. Her professional focus is on child development and behaviour guidance through creating and implementing individualized programming for children with varying abilities (or special needs).
With over 20 years working with children with autism, Teresa has developed a keen understanding of how to support children and families as they move through the difficult process of finding and implementing a system that works for their child and their family.
Teresa sees each child as a capable individual. She is committed to helping them develop their tools and encouraging them to live their best life with happiness and fulfillment.
Certifications and Credentials:- Registered Early Childhood Educator
- Post Diploma Studies in Resource Consulting
- Hanen Language program trained
- Tools for Life behaviour program trained
Christine Chang, Parent Support
Christine Chang is a mother of two children. In 2009, her 2-year-old son was diagnosed with autism with high support needs. Christine undertook an arduous journey, trying both mainstream and natural therapies and using institution- and family-based interventions.
Christine later joined a charity organization that serves children on the autism spectrum, sharing her experiences, insights, and emotional breakthroughs with other parents. In her five years of work, she comforted, encouraged, and inspired many parents at the edge of confusion, despair, and emotional breakdown.
Christine believes that children are blessings from God. Each child is a unique individual who must be respected and cherished. She believes that a warm family atmosphere with physical, mental, spiritual, and relationally healthy parents are essential nutrients for the growth of children on the autism spectrum.
Her now 16-year-old son is independent in daily living, participates in group activities with peers, knows how to care about and help others, has his own goals and aspirations, and is actively working towards enrolling in a university.
Eric Ϲhen, Advisor (Autism & IT)
Eric Ϲhen pioneered autistic-led autism advocacy in Asia since 2002. He wrote three books, starred in two documentaries and gave over a hundred talks in Singapore, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Eric has worked on himself for two decades to make major personal breakthroughs. Before retiring from autism work to focus on a new IT career, he organized the first autistic-led forum in Asia, wrote an autism masterplan with groundbreaking proposals and co-founded Singapore’s largest public autism community.
Eric champions Inclusive Equality, which advocates mutual respect, personal responsibility, strategic contributions and equal partnerships to create change. He hopes to realize a world where everyone stops blaming each other and starts taking responsibility to better their lives.
Testimonials
Parent Xiaohuang
(Boy, age 13, non-speaking)
My son started having severe food allergy beginning at the age of three. As a result, we had to watch his diet constantly and prepare his meals carefully. Although we tried numerous doctors specializing in biomedical treatment, his condition did not improve. Fortunately, a year after Ms. Lillian started working with my son, he could consume ordinary food like everyone else in the family. In addition, he also made significant progress in language, memory, and self-expression.
After tonight’s dinner, my son told me a teacher was sick at his school. When I asked who told him that, he recited her name. This was a breakthrough as it marked the first time he took the initiative to share what happened at the school spontaneously! This turning point gave me so much hope for the future. Thank you, Ms. Lillian!
Parent Xiaohui
(Boy, age 9)
My son started with Ms. Lillian when he was five. At that time, his hearing was abnormal, and he was in a state of over-excitement. He had a fragile nervous system, was easily distracted by his surroundings, was prone to mood swings, and experienced severe separation anxiety. His previous teachers gave him all kinds of labels and urged me to get him ADHD medication.
Ms. Lillian provided my son with energy support and helped regulate his nervous system. After Ms. Lillian’s summer school program, he slept peacefully at night. His attention improved significantly, and his learning ability became better. He changed from a socially isolated child who won’t eat and drink to an active and hardworking student.
He is now in a mainstream class. He likes to communicate with classmates and has many hobbies and interests. His attention in class is over 75%, and he often gets A’s. Teachers usually grade his daily school performance as eight on a scale of 0 to 10.
My son has not undergone any other interventions other than Ms. Lillian’s. With his progress, I can return to work in peace. My family life has finally returned to normal.
Parent Xiaofang
(Boy, age 7, non-speaking)
I am very grateful to Ms. Lillian. Half a year of her intervention solved my son’s sweating, snoring, and breathing problem at night. His sleep and emotional issues have greatly improved, and his tics are all gone now.
Ms. Lillian paid close attention to his symptoms, carefully treating and significantly improving his physical and mental conditions. She supported him in emerging from his world to interact with other children. He can now express himself spontaneously; my relationship with M is much deeper and solid. He has slowly started becoming curious and can sit still and learn. I no longer feel anxious and nervous; the family atmosphere is relaxed and happy.
Last night, I took my son skating. This is the first time I felt confident taking him out for public sporting activities. To my surprise, he and I had a great time without social or behavioral problems. He was laughing, excited, and engaged. He fell many times and was sweating profusely; I could see he was delighted.
I also noticed that recently my son likes to play basketball and can score ten times in a row; he did not even score once previously.
Parent Meiqing
(Boy, age 11, non-speaking)
Ms. Lillian brings light to the future of our family. We met Lillian in December 2019 when my son was still absent-minded, hyperactive and on ADHD medication. He kept going non-stop like a toy top, even waking up in the middle of the night. Our family felt depressed and worried about our future.
Ms. Lillian’s safe and effective natural remedies have slowly changed my son to be more present in his body. Within two months, he no longer needed to take ADHD medication. He became calmer, spoke more, learned faster, and slept well. I am very thankful for Ms. Lillian’s intervention, which has given us hope and confidence to face future challenges.
Parent Zhangdi
(Boy, age 9, non-speaking)
When my son met Ms. Lillian for the first time, he hugged her with both hands and buried his face in her neck like long-lost lovers. He never treated anyone like this, including his elder sister and me. Shocked, I felt a new warmth from this encounter. Since then, he has always been very affectionate and happy with Lillian.
Initially, my son was non-speaking, often dazed and moving restlessly, poor in self-care, and unable to follow instructions. Due to poor social skills and an attention span of less than a minute, his surroundings always affect him.
His biggest challenge was frequent crying, such as when awakening from an afternoon nap and after school dismissal. He also woke up at night to look for me; if I did not respond, he would keep crying.
In addition, he had poor self-awareness. He did not know how to remove his clothes when wet. He would have an emotional outburst when asked to change clothes by himself.
I was desperate, anxious, and physically and mentally exhausted back then. Fortunately, Ms. Lillian’s intervention has stabilized my son’s mood, and he seldom cries nowadays. He can express himself verbally and concentrate for a long time. He can sleep soundly through the night on his own. All other aspects of his life are also slowly improving.
I am very grateful to Ms. Lillian for giving me hope, and I look forward to my son’s continuous progress.
Parent Kim
(Boy, age 16)
Since age 2, my son has exhibited various autism-linked behaviors such as sensory sensitivities, self-stimulation (including voice, body movements, and eyes), eating disorders, insomnia, and hyperactivity. He also developed gastrointestinal problems, severe constipation, and hypotonia. He did not speak until age 4. He felt no connection with his parents, refusing to hold hands outdoors, and kept trying to run away. He did not respond to people and things.
I tried many approaches, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, nutritional supplements, play therapy, sensory integration training, body brushing, sports, and family therapy. All these helped a little but no significant changes or breakthroughs. We felt stuck.
We met Ms. Lillian in 2019 when she gave a lecture at the Spirit of Life. By then, my son was 12 and still had many physical, emotional, and mental problems.
Shortly after Lillian started work, my son took the initiative to hold my hand at the mall, which surprised me. His nasal sensitivity and nosebleeds gradually disappeared while his gastrointestinal condition and concentration improved. His messy handwriting became tidy while his learning skills, comprehension, and situational awareness were significantly enhanced.
He is now in good physical and mental health, working hard to catch up with his studies to compensate for the lost time. He is now fully independent, traveling alone to school and kissing his parents goodbye when he leaves.